Lura "Jeanette" Holmes Barbee

Bentonville, VA – Lura “Jeanette” Holmes Barbee, age 91, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Hidden Springs Senior Living after a long Alzheimer’s journey.  Born in Mecklenburg County, NC on January 26, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Alex Bryant Peacock, Jr., Lucille Holmes Ambrose, Lura Ryals Holmes and Oscar Leamon Holmes.  She was also preceded in death by her husband of almost 41 years, William “Bill” Cromwell Barbee, Sr., her sisters Ann Barnes Baker, Sarah Barnes Stallings, brother Oscar Barnes, and her beloved dog Holly.

Jeanette retired from the banking and travel industry after 44 years working at Planters Bank, Citizen Savings & Loan, Home Savings & Loan, Pioneer Bank, First Citizens and AAA Travel Group.  She was the Vice President and Business Development Officer at Pioneer Bank where she started the 1st Senior Travel Club with over 5,000 members in Eastern North Carolina.  She and Bill took people all over the world on many trips of a lifetime. She introduced seniors to opportunities they would probably never have had, new friendships and even spouses.  She loved sharing her love of adventure and travel with them and her family.

Jeanette graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School where she was Head Majorette for the Rocky Mount Blackbirds.  She attended the University of Georgia School for Executive Development, the Chicago Savings & Loan Institute and the University of Rhode Island Branch Managers School.  Jeanette was involved in numerous community activities to include President of the Heart Association, American Business Women’s Association Woman of the Year, and Director of the American Lung Association.  She also held offices in the North Carolina Savings & Loan Institute, was an Ambassador for the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce, the International Friendship Force, and the 1st Woman Foreman of a Nash County Jury.  Jeanette was a charter member of Englewood Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served on numerous committees throughout the years.  Jeanette was faithful and steadfast with the love of her church.

Jeanette loved gardening (flowers), decorating, fashion, lipstick, shopping, traveling, vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce, Christmas all year long (everything with lights on it), and her Hollygirl.  She never met a stranger and lived a life filled with fun and adventure and was fondly referred to as J Lo and Tiger Lily.

Jeanette is survived by her daughter, Nancy Quincy McDermott (Dave) of Bentonville, VA, Bill’s children William C Barbee, Jr. (Lea) of Sims, NC, F. Nelson Barbee (Jane) of Belleview, Florida, Dianna D Barbee of Lucama, NC, Jonathan S. Barbee of Lucama, NC, Doretha B. Wethington (Eric) of Selma, NC; her sisters, Peggy Hutson (Lou) of Winston Salem, NC, Carolyn Ambrose of Mann’s Harbor, NC, Jo Joyner (Tommy) of Rocky Mount, NC, and Charles Barnes (Beverly) of Southern Pines, NC.  She was also Mammaw to many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her lifelong friend Mary Simmons (Gene) of Raleigh, NC.

The family would like to thank Brentwood Home Health Care of Wilson, NC, Hidden Springs Senior Living of Bentonville, VA (especially the Mountain staff), Blue Ridge Hospice of Winchester, VA, Maddox Funeral Home of Front Royal, VA, Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home of Rocky Mount, NC , and Englewood Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, NC for their love and wonderful care of Jeanette.  In addition, a special thank you to Wanda Norwood and Marjorie Ward for their loving care of their “Barbee Doll”.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Jeanette’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 S Winstead Ave, Rocky Mount, NC 27803 with Rev. Charles Taylor officiating.  Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.  Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM prior to the service at Englewood Baptist Church.

Englewood Baptist church will livestream the service: https://englewoodbaptist.com/funeral/

Donations may be made in Memory of Jeanette to the Englewood Baptist Church General Fund or flowers are welcomed.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.